Sirens and Scales

by Kellie McAllen

  Also, if you’re going to send someone to be a spy, why not choose someone of power?

  Not to say librarians aren’t powerful. But wouldn’t he want someone in the police department or a mayor? Someone with higher status?

  Ruxsiu had me banished. Does he believe I’m still a risk? Does he have any idea that with every waking moment I can afford, I’m searching, determined to end this war between our kinds?

  Ending the very war he started. The more I think about it, the more I wonder how far from the truth I am. Am I being sent on a wild goose chase? Running in circles with no way out?

  Even if I am, I have to find the exit. Get off the ride. And figure this out. If the pearl is being tainted, a task that takes hundreds of years and that’s how long Fyazum has been locked away, time is almost up. Assuming it’s the same time frame. Yackros didn’t give me an actual number, just “hundreds.” Does the pearl need ten hundred years to become corrupt, and Fyazum has only been gone for five? I have no point of reference, and can only assume time is running out. I have to believe the pearl is safe for the moment because Ruxsiu doesn’t have the power to rule yet. And that’s what’s going to keep my faith filled.

  Contemplating, speculating isn’t helping me get any farther on this journey. I slide off the window seat and get my laptop. I sit on my bed, back against the wall, pulling the comforter over my legs. I open the computer and wait for it to boot up before opening the internet search bar, where I type in “dragon pearl of wisdom.”

  The page loads, showing links to multiple sites all referring to the ancient myths regarding a dragon and their pearl of wisdom, a gift, the wealth it represents, and how some people think it meant knowledge, as in the dragon was given information, not a physical pearl.

  Yackros didn’t clarify this, and I didn’t ask. But maybe I’m thinking about this all wrong. Are we talking about something only Fyazum could allow to be corrupted or remain protected? Is it literally in his head? Or is there an actual pearl, a physical gem, I can rescue and repair?

  Once corrupted, can it even be repaired? Once again, I’m left with more questions than answers, and no one to ask for the truth. Only Yackros could tell me, and it seems he doesn’t want to. He’s resigned himself to the fate dealt to him, to us. I suppose after a few thousand years, I’d give up too, so I can’t blame him, but I haven’t been in this fight that long. I’m just barely getting started. Until a week ago, I didn’t understand why Yackros didn’t want me in the forest, why he loved and hated having me near all at the same time.

  It wasn’t until I almost died that I really began to understand the risk I’d tempted my entire life. I was in danger that whole time, and yet Yackros protected me. He made sure I stayed safe. Now it’s my turn to do the same for him.

  I can’t get to him. Not yet. But Ruxsiu had better hope that when I do, he doesn’t have a scratch on him.

  Getting nowhere with the pearl search, I direct my browser to the book Scales of Sea and Sky. It’s as though the book doesn’t even exist. Absolutely nothing comes up book-wise. Plenty of scale-related jewelry, art, costumes, and other knickknacks pop up. I try again, this time searching “R. Ebony.” The search engine crosses out “R” and shows me everything ebony related.

  “You’re useless,” I mutter and close the laptop. I reach over the edge of the bed, setting the laptop on the floor and lying down. Though protesting the idea of sleep when I could be researching, despite not finding anything useful so far, I allow my eyes to close and the nothingness to take over.

  I know Yackros told me not to skip out on my life for him, but he doesn’t realize that he is my life. Without him, I have no meaning, no purpose. If I leave him to rot in the dark world Ruxsiu is creating, everyone will suffer because he won’t stop at the borders of Runavelius.

  I have no problem driving past the school and instead, going to the library. The old woman isn’t at the desk, thankfully, because I’m not sure what I would say to her, but I don’t think I could keep quiet, either.

  Instead, Cheryl is sitting at the counter with her phone in front of her face, the condensation from her Starbucks cup creating a pool of liquid on the table beside her, threatening to ruin the papers laying on the desk next to it.

  I walk by, glad I don’t have to deal with the cranky old woman and her odd behavior. Like telling me I should stay away from Max. What was that all about? I wonder if his presence would help me. I pull my phone from my pocket and open our last conversation.

  At library. Skipping school. Meet me?

  He doesn’t respond so I assume he’s already silenced it for class. I go back to thoughts of the librarian.

  My wish had been that she wouldn’t be here today at all, but she’s sitting at the table I’ve come to know as mine, a book in front of her, glasses perched on her nose, wearing another interesting outfit of pointy-toed boots, a black crushed-velvet skirt, a dark green button-down shirt, and a matching vest to pull the outfit together. Her dark gray hair is curled and pinned up in an extravagant bun with a large flower pinned to the side.

  I’m stopped dead in my tracks, unsure what to do now. Surely she’s noticed that’s where I’ve been studying. No one ever sits over here because it’s dark and dusty, so is she messing with me? Or is there more to her than meets the eye? What is she after?

  I don’t know and I don’t want to play whatever weird game this is, so I turn and take the last empty table beside the windows along the other wall.

  Despite wanting to just let it go, I can’t help but look over at my spot and wonder what she’s doing. I shake my head and turn my attention back to the books before me. Until again I have the inherent need to see what’s going on over there.

  Is she taunting me? Does she know how uncomfortable this is making me? There’s a tightness in my chest. It feels like I’m suffocating. I’m being pulled—no, dragged to that chair. I don’t know why it’s so important or special. It really shouldn’t matter.

  I chose it to be alone, cut off from prying eyes. But now it’s like my second home has been invaded.

  There’s no response from Max, so I assume he isn’t coming and I get to work, pulling out my research and laptop. I know I could do this all at home, but at least here I know nothing will happen to me here in this public place.

  The old crazy woman may be able to see me here, but at least I can watch her right back and know that she’s not sneaking around my actual house.

  “What’s the emergency?” asks a breathless voice.

  I look up, so relieved. I jump up and throw my arms around Max’s neck. “Thank you for coming.”

  “You’re welcome?” he says, more like a question, as he wraps his arms around me and holds me close.

  I’ve seen him every single day, and yet, this moment is the first time things haven’t felt so awkward or tense between us since our fight regarding dragons.

  When we break apart, I sit down and motion for him to sit beside me. “I’m kind of panicking and I wasn’t going to pull you away from school, but I guess I just couldn’t do this alone.” I shake my head. “I’m sorry.”

  “Well, first, you know you can always come to me or have me come to you, no matter what. And I’m not really worried about school. That will end. How I feel about you never will.” He squeezes my hand.

  “Thank you,” I say, blushing, and feeling almost normal again. “It’s time we had the talk, Max. I need you on my team. I can’t keep doing this alone.” I try to explain, though I know I’m doing a poor job of it. I’m nervous, and freaking out on the inside, even if my outside doesn’t match.

  Max’s expression falls from ecstatic to disappointment in a heartbeat. “Is this about the dragons again?”

  “Yes and no.” I hold his one hand with both of mine and look him in the eye. “I went to talk to Yackros last night up in the mountains. And someone followed me.”

  “What?” Max bellows, garnering multiple “Shhh”’s from around the room.

  “Listen,” I wh
isper, leaning in closer. “Please don’t freak out, but this has happened a couple of times now, plus the bullying. I just couldn’t take this battle on alone anymore, which is why I asked you to come here. I know you don’t believe in dragons, and I’m not asking you to change your mind right this second. I just . . . I just—” I can feel myself begin to hyperventilate. “Need a hand to hold,” I say quickly, getting it out there.

  He looks at our clasped hands and sits in silence for a moment. I don’t say or do anything. I just let him take it all in. And when he’s ready, he looks up at me.

  “The online bullying?” he asks, kinda squinting and turning away.

  So I relay the incident in class that started all of it. How I asked about dragons, and that led to comments online and in person.

  “I think—” he starts, taking a deep breath and continuing. “I mean, obviously I’m here for you. And really, I don’t think the kids at school would physically hurt you, even if they like to make jokes. They’re all talk. I want to protect you the best I can. But there isn’t much I can do online, you know? However, someone following you is concerning. And as much as I want to say I will make sure you’re safe, there are times I won’t be able to have your back. I should have been with you yesterday, and I wasn’t. I think you should take some self-defense classes.”

  “I couldn’t agree more,” another voice adds.

  We both look up to see Rohesia standing on the opposite side of the table, her arms behind her back, cheeks pulled up in a smile as though nothing is wrong in the whole world.

  “You would have a lot to say about it,” I retort, not wanting her anywhere near me.

  “Oh, dear girl. We need to talk.” Her brows furrow, her lips pinch, and somehow she still has a creepy smile on her face.

  “What on earth could we possibly have to talk about?” I want to add more sarcastic comments, but nothing seems like it will do my emotions justice right now.

  She looks pointedly at Max. “When he leaves, I’ll be glad to tell you that.”

  “I’m not going anywhere.” Max stands up, towering over her.

  Yet again, I’m stuck in a tough situation. I asked Max to come. I just poured my heart out to him about not wanting to be alone anymore. And now I need him to leave. As much as this woman terrifies me, I need to know what she has to say, and I’m well aware that she doesn’t care for Max one bit.

  I stand and rest my hand on Max’s forearm. He turns to me only slightly so he can still intimidate the librarian.

  “Please?” I whisper. I know it’s all I have to say. He’ll be too hurt to want an explanation right now.

  “Are you serious?” He’s already shaking his head.

  I nod, unable to say more.

  He stares a moment longer, looking between the two of us before storming out of the library. I don’t know what kind of permanent damage I just caused. I only hope it’s worth it.

  “What do you have to speak to me about that you couldn’t or wouldn’t say in front of him?”

  She watches me sit down, so focused it makes me uncomfortable. “Well, for one, Runavelius.” She pulls her glasses down a bit to look at me over the frames.

  I cough, at first intending to clear my throat, but her words catch me off guard. “What did you just say?” I look at her library name tag. “Rohesia.”

  An odd-sounding name. Certainly uncommon. Her odd clothes stand out like a sore thumb. Especially given how hot they must be. No one from Arizona would wear them unless it was to a funeral, and even that’s questionable.

  “You know what I said. I’m sure the puzzle pieces are clicking in your head right now, but I can understand that you’re most likely suffering a great deal of pressure, unable to make sense of everything that’s happened in a short period of time. You’re looking for truth where there is none and finding answers where only more riddles lay. But you came here and had no problem asking for books on dragons that weren’t fiction-based. You are a woman on a mission, and nothing is going to stop you. That’s good, because the road you’re on is a steep one. And it’s only going to get harder to climb from here. Are you ready for a little help?”

  “You’re R. Ebony, aren’t you?” I fold my arms across my chest.

  “I am.” She nods.

  “So you know the truth? You’re aware that dragons are real?” I ask, hesitant to hope I’m not alone after all.

  “I am,” she repeats, grinning again. “I thought I was the only one. I’ve been on my own for so long—to have a young girl come in adamant on finding out about dragons, I could hardly breath, fearing the worst, wanting the best, with no way of knowing what you were truly after. Was it a game to you? A bet? A dare? Did you know they existed for fact, and wanted proof? Or were you a fanatic only hoping to find some theory others would cling to?”

  “And what convinced you that I was the real deal?” I lean forward, elbow on the table, chin in my palm.

  “I followed you yesterday. Into the forest. Did you know I’ve been in Arizona longer than it’s been a state, and I was never able to find the other dragons? Once I lost my dragon, it all seemed hopeless. But because our bond remains alive, so do I. And here I am. Waiting. Watching. Hoping for a sign. I never expected it would be a teenage girl.” She shifts in her seat, seemingly looking me over.

  There’s so much about what she just said that I can’t wrap my head around. So many things I need answers to. I go in the same order she did. “Why did you follow me?”

  A simple nod. “Your behavior suggested there was far more to you than the reading. I needed to know if I was right. And you did in fact lead me in the direction I had hoped for. You were speaking to your dragon who remains in Runavelius, yes?” Her forehead wrinkles up.

  “Yes, though now I’m concerned for his safety even more than before. If you could follow me out there, anyone could. Who’s to say someone else won’t, and then they discover the truth? What if I bring war down on all of us again?” My breathing become uneven.

  My palms are clammy, sweat beading on my forehead. What have I done?

  “My dear, calm down.” Rohesia reaches out, taking my hand in hers. “It’s okay. I only know what was going on because I know of dragons. Anyone who didn’t already know the truth would have seen a teenage girl talking to herself. And that isn’t uncommon.” She sighs. “Besides, the war never ended. It just changed.”

  I rub at my eyes, trying to clear away some of the panic and tiredness taking over. “Okay, next question. How in the world can you look so young and yet claim to be so old?”

  “I believe you already know the answer to that. I told you that my bond with my dragon remains intact. Therefore, I age at the same rate as he. Should I live long enough to die from old age, I will be here for at least a couple thousand years more. Assuming my dragon’s well, given his circumstances. Though I suppose I shouldn’t hope for the best. I’ll only be met with disappointment.” Her eyes kind of glaze over, like she’s lost in a memory.

  “Okay, next question. Who is your dragon? How is it you didn’t know where Runavelius is?” I want to ask more, but I’m trying not to drown her in questions because I really want answers.

  Rohesia clears her throat. “Alita, I wasn’t aware of Runavelius’ location because I’ve never been there. It was put into place while we were away. And after the war began, we never made it that far.” She clears her throat, tears welling in her eyes. She dabs at them with a napkin that seemingly appeared out of nowhere. “He was taken. I tried to find the others to help, but every trace of dragons had disappeared, as if they were never here.”

  A chill runs through me. “Rohesia,” I whisper. “Your dragon—what is his name?” I close my eyes, waiting for her to say it, but I already know. How could it be anything other than…

  “King Fyazum.”

  15

  I gape at Rohesia, much like I did when she said Fyazum’s name in the library. Only now we’re sitting in her kitchen in a house I’m pretty sure most people thi
nk is abandoned. It never looks like anyone is here, it doesn’t seem inviting, and on the inside, it isn’t all that clean. But it’s perfect for privacy, I suppose.

  I know I shouldn’t be surprised that the king of dragons is bound to the only other person I’ve found who knows of their existence at all. I was expecting it the moment I connected the dots. But it still seems crazy. There are so many things I want to ask her, but I don’t even know where to start.

  I’m still in too much shock to have a good response to any of the information this woman wants to dump on me.

  King Fyazum’s bond. I suppose it never really occurred to me that any of the other dragons still had a human. I mean, they’re not allowed, right? They couldn’t keep their humans because they had to go into hiding in order to protect said humans.

  But then again, Fyazum isn’t in Runavelius. He tried to get there, and I’m sure he would have brought Rohesia with him. Right? Because while they didn’t know which humans could be trusted, surely she wasn’t an enemy. If she was, she would be dead, or her memory would’ve been wiped.

  “Alita? Alita?” A hand waves in front of my face. I look up.

  “Yes?” I ask, not realizing why she so desperately needs my attention.

  “Are you listening to me at all?”

  “I’m sorry. What did you say?” I ask, knowing fully that I wasn’t even trying to focus.

  “I need you to tell me how you came across the dragons. What happened? Who are you bound to? Or has a bond been formed for you? Tell me your dragon story. Please.” She says it clearly, kindly, but firmly.

  “I’m sorry, but I think I need to know your story first. That sounds so much more exciting. I mean, seriously, you are bound to the king. How are you here? What happened that he never made it to Runavelius? You realize that I was tasked with finding and rescuing him, right?”